BANGALORE, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Building maintenance supply
company W.W. Grainger Inc (GWW.N: Cotización) posted better-than-expected
third-quarter results, driven by expansion of its product line
and market, and its shares rose as much as 8 percent.

Despite the economic uncertainty, Grainger still raised its
earnings outlook for the year to a range of $6.00 to $6.20 a
share from its prior view of $5.80 to $6.10 a share.

"They obviously recognize that we are in a more uncertain
macroeconomic environment and they left the range fairly wide
to allow for that flexibility," Brent Rakers, an analyst with
Morgan, Keegan & Co, said.

Analyst John Baliotti of FTN Midwest Securities Corp
believes that the company's focus on the MRO (maintenance,
repair, operations) side of business, which is less volatile
and less discretionary, is helping growth.

Both the analysts said government orders, which constitute
about 20 percent of Grainger's revenue, is also a key driver.
Grainger distributes lighting, motors, janitorial supplies
and other materials used to maintain and repair buildings.
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